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While many companies are producing smart speakers with added features such as built-in video screens, Onkyo is flipping the script and adding a camera and home monitoring features into the VC-FLX ($280).

After walking into the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center today at around 11:15 AM, I noticed something was amiss. In an industry nearly 100 percent reliant on electricity, the entire hall's AC power was out. It was (and still is as I write this) an eerie feeling to be surrounded by so much AV gear hear only conversations. No loud music. No flashing TV screens. The overhead announcer has helpfully told us that "We are experiencing a power outage. We are addressing the problem." I'm glad they mentioned this, because I at first thought it was the aftereffects of having the flu that was causing my lack of sensory overstimulation.

Smart speakers are popping up left and right, wack-a-mole style, one virtually indistinguishable from another. But, some are very distinguished. Take, for example, JBL's Link View.

If you’re like most of the world, that means starting the day off with a steaming cup of Joe. You brew a pot or K-cup or whatever and then pour it into your travel mug and head off to work, hoping that your insulated vessel will keep the precious liquid hot enough for you to get your day started. Or you start with a cold drink in a thermos, likewise hoping it will keep cold throughout the day. But what if your bottle could do more than just contain liquid? What if it could heat it to maintain your desired temperature throughout the day? Or likewise cool it? Or even boil water to purify it for drinking or for use with freeze-dried food packs while camping? Or if it could actually be used to blend up your smoothie or to brew your coffee? I give you…the Cauldryn Fyre!